𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐒 • [ general iroh II x oc ]

Benches

A day has passed and both the handsome general and young woman had woken up in their own separate lives. Their own separate rooms. Their own deep responsibilities.

It's was a new day, for both of them. One without one another, what more could they ask for?

Unfortunately, much like the entirety of the two's differences, Aria's new day fell short.

Aria sat on her fire escape, her legs dangling off the edge, a lit cigarette in between her fingers. She felt the crackle of smoke fill her lungs and get pushed back out, into the fresh morning air.

The sun was in the process of rising, so the ember from the cigarette lit up her face slightly. She hadn't really been able to sleep that night, she usually wasn't able too after working.

Her eyes were puffy, her hair tussled, worst part was, she couldn't even rest during the day, she had to take Niko to school and the doctors.

She loved taking care of her brother, she really did. But it was hard sometimes, especially when she didn't even have it in her to take care of herself.

A few long hours later she found herself sitting on a cold, city bench, waiting for Niko to get out of school. Her heel tapped into the ground and she closed her eyes, leaning her head back and inhaling the cold, crisp air.

"Hey, Ari." She heard a friendly male voice behind her, she looked back  and smiled tiredly. The corners of her mouth turning into her small dimples cheeks when she saw the tall, dark haired boy.

"What's up Mako?" Her voice was soft and casual as a small smile overtook her face. "Want to sit?"

Mako and Aria had known each other from the cold harsh streets of Republic City for a while now. They met when Aria was fourteen, Mako being eleven. He was 18 now, Aria was 20.

He sat down on the cold bench with her and leaned back, cold air leaving his mouth.

"How's Bolin?" Her head leaned to look at him. He leaned to head to her and shrugged.

"Fine, exhausting, but fine. Niko?"

"He's good. He's getting better, Makoda got us hooked up with this great doctor." She smiled and nodded. Mako smiled back. "He's got a real office and everything." She chuckled and nodded.

He laughed with her, her laugh somewhat contagious. "That's good. For free?"

"Well Makoda is paying. But I owe him once and a while, which I don't mind." She shrugged. Mako clicked his tongue and nodded. "You still doing numbers for the triad?"

"Yeah, yeah, and I take up shifts at the power plant every so often, it's solid money." He sighed. "I'm trying to get out of it though, I don't want Bolin to be around all of that."

"Did you try pro-bending like you thought?"

"We don't have a water bender."

"I think I might know a guy." She thought. "His name is Hasook, he's your age, I can bring it up with him if you want."

"Yeah, maybe. Thanks. I wish I could help you get out of your job." He chucked, she smiled and shook her head.

"I'm fine, Mako, I really am. As long as Nikos doing good, I'm doing good." She hummed and patted his shoulder. They heard the school bell ring and Aria watched as Niko came out with his books, walking over to his sister and her friend.

"How was school bro?" Mako asked, extending his hand to Niko. Niko smiled and slapped Makos hand with his own.

"I knocked over a glass bottle like 10 feet away from me with a slingshot I made during recess." He proudly reported. Aria shook her head.